". . . to bind up the brokenhearted,
to proclaim freedom for the captives
and release from darkness for the prisoners,
to comfort all who mourn,
and provide for those who grieve in Zion—
to bestow on them a crown of beauty
instead of ashes,
the oil of joy
instead of mourning,
and a garment of praise
instead of a spirit of despair.
They will be called oaks of righteousness,
a planting of the Lord
for the display of his splendor." Isaiah 61

Sunday, May 11, 2008

Lessons from the Wildflowers

A few days ago I was out on my daily walk, moping about the weather and how drab everything seems. It hasn't been all that bad, but the cold this year is really getting to me! I am very ready for spring to fully come, in all her splendor. So anyways, here I was, bemoaning the cold, when I decided to look around me. And what did I see but signs of spring and beauty everywhere! I discovered that even though the temperature might not be doing just what I want it to do, the flowers and grass seem to be handling everything okay. It brought to mind those well-known verses, Matthew 6:27-34. This version is The Message. . . although I normally use the NIV, I really liked the way it paraphrased this:

"Has anyone by fussing in front of the mirror ever gotten taller by so much as an inch? All this time and money wasted on fashion—do you think it makes that much difference? Instead of looking at the fashions, walk out into the fields and look at the wildflowers. They never primp or shop, but have you ever seen color and design quite like it? The ten best-dressed men and women in the country look shabby alongside them. If God gives such attention to the appearance of wildflowers—most of which are never even seen—don't you think he'll attend to you, take pride in you, do his best for you? What I'm trying to do here is to get you to relax, to not be so preoccupied with getting, so you can respond to God's giving. People who don't know God and the way he works fuss over these things, but you know both God and how he works. Steep your life in God-reality, God-initiative, God-provisions. Don't worry about missing out. You'll find all your everyday human concerns will be met. Give your entire attention to what God is doing right now, and don't get worked up about what may or may not happen tomorrow. God will help you deal with whatever hard things come up when the time comes."

Lord, how often am I so focused on myself, and worrying about my own preferences (like it being too cold for my taste) that I fail to 1. notice those around me, and 2. trust in You and what You're doing in my life? What a silly thing to spend time on, complaining about the cold! Please give me that thankful, unworried spirit that glorifies You. May I direct my entire attention to You alone my Precious Jesus.

4 comments:

Wow, I really liked this post Becky. :) I know what you mean about the weather, it's made me bummed out some too, but then if you truly do look around you you'll find something that's made by God's hand and that's pretty special to me. :Dlove you!

Yeah the weather this spring has been crazy, although up here in Columbia we are blaming it on the Mizzou professors. During the week it has been really nice and then come weekend it will get cold and rainy. Your post encouraged me to try and find the positive in it. I realized that the library has not been so awefull crazy like it normally is during finals week. I decided the bad weather kept the weekend partying to a low and encouraged people to study on the weekends and now that finals are here they are not all freaking out. I am loving the not so busyness like usual.

You can always find the positive, sometimes it just takes a little effort.